as in to kill time
to spend time doing nothing
returned home unannounced and found the au pair goofing off
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for goof (off)
Noun
-
Plus, the slacker peaches finally get to work.—
Ile-Ife Okantah,
Vulture,
11 May 2026 -
Mattress slackers do have an excuse, however, since some of the newer mattress-in-a-box brands aren't designed to flip.—
Alora Bopray,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But Flynn also oozes sniveling self-righteousness while hotly defending and petitioning for childhood innocence (amusing hints emerge that the daughter is a somewhat lazy and dim underachiever).—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Baltimore Ravens 2025 record: 8-9 Weighted DVOA finish: 13th 2026 over-under win total: 11.5 One of the league’s longtime underachievers, the Ravens are banking on a coaching change to push them back to the Super Bowl.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Just take care of your[self], and veg out.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Jan. 2026
-
This set is damn near professional-wear, with a blazer-style top and contrast piping for those who like to veg out with dignity.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
10 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
There's also a kids' camp and other similar programming that gives younger visitors the ideal amount of socialization—and allows parents to actually get a few hours to kick back and relax.—
Katherine Polcari,
Southern Living,
2 May 2026
-
Wash the Floor the Right Way Porch floors collect fine dust that gets kicked back into the air every time someone walks across them.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Sacbee.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Activities on the sprawling estate span from the active (horseback riding, hiking, kayaking) to the restful (lounging by the large pool overlooking the mountains).—
Rebekah Peppler,
Travel + Leisure,
9 May 2026
-
Photos of the pair lounging at the pool of an exclusive Arizona hotel were published at the time, followed by Russini and Vrabel’s swift denials of anything untoward.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Though the sisters are supposedly first-generation Italian American, no whiff of the old country hangs about Kay; Dorothy will at least spit out a few words in Italian.—
Television Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Turquoise pearl, and azure line the space, and a cylindrical hanging light sculpture made of hundreds of white and gold ceramic fish hangs about the lounge seating area.—
Kristin Braswell,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Flop down in your favorite blue armchair, rest a hand behind your head, and settle into a new week of Atlantic Trivia.—
Drew Goins,
The Atlantic,
11 May 2026
-
After resting Monday, the Padres will visit the feisty Milwaukee Brewers for a three-game series.—
Dennis Lin,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Get our daily newsletter Yet Mr Schwarzman avoids footling with life’s foot-soldiers for a reason.—
The Economist,
The Economist,
19 Sep. 2019
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Cite this Entry
“Goof (off).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/goof%20%28off%29. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
